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The last few weekends I’ve had the privilege of enjoying the views of the rolling hills of northeastern Pennsylvania. My dad’s recovery has been ongoing and he has been transferred to a rehab wing of a small hospital in rural PA. It’s a beautiful area, and whereas the typical drive is pretty, a bridge outage between his home and the hospital has provided a new variety of beautiful detour options. With Independence Day right around the corner, I can’t help but reflect on the preserved beauty of rural America.

I love that so many of our patriotic hymns highlight the vastness of this country’s landscape and that there is something noteworthy about being surrounded by breathtaking vistas and impressive terrain. As the song goes, America can boast its grandness “from sea to shining sea.” Thank goodness that this land in which we live is a reminder of the beauty of God’s creation.

It’s no secret that America is going through a rough patch. The country is divided, civil discourse is volatile, and this Constitutional Republic that we call home feels unsettled and uneasy. There’s distrust and dishonestly, and some may say, impending disaster. We’re embarking on an election cycle that we know will be full of animosity that has most of us dreading it. It’s clear our country has some problems and everyone seems to have differing opinions of how we should go about fixing them. It’s like the only thing we can really agree on is the fact that we’re a mess right now.

As Christians, it’s clear that the American dream has so much going for it. The “land of the free and the home of the brave” embodies much of what we know to be good and true. Our history is marked by an understanding of unalienable rights and sacrificial love. Our founding documents embrace freedom and order, justice and virtue, opportunity and balance, and our founders sought out a “more perfect union” because their Christian worldview revealed to them a little of what that might look like.

Of course, our history is far from perfect; we’ve had to learn and grow along the way. Much like the Old Testament Israelites grew and matured in the early centuries, God’s goodness and mercy continues to be revealed, and we, hopefully continue to grow. We must try to stay the course, to lean into truth and live in hope of the future of this great nation.

And we must keep perspective. Politics and good citizenry is important; we’re called to be active and engaged, informed and invested. But we must remember, this is not our home – heaven is.

Just as our brave veterans have been willing to die for the principles of this country, so too, must we be willing to live for heaven. If we can do that well, we can further the kingdom here, in the land of liberty.

So, this Independence Day, let us say a prayer of thanksgiving for this beautiful land, and pray for healing, wisdom and hope.

May God “mend thine every flaw,” and may we walk this blessed land with our eyes set on heaven.